Caterina Lamuta, University of Iowa associate professor of mechanical engineering, has been honored for contributions to the field of smart materials, adaptative structures, and intelligent systems by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Lamuta was presented with the 2024 Gary Anderson Early Achievement Award this month during the ASME Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures, and Intelligent Systems Conference in Atlanta. 

First awarded in 2007, the prize is named after Gary L. Anderson, who through his work at the Army Research Office, helped establish the field of adaptive structures and material systems, according to ASME. The award recognizes a rising young researcher whose work has had an impact in his or her field within adaptive structures and material systems.

Lamuta, also a faculty affiliate of IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, has gained acclaim for research to create “Softopus,” a soft underwater robot with the form and capabilities of a real octopus. The intelligent robot is being developed to perform adaptive texture modulation, manipulation, and locomotion at the same time. 

The goal for Softopus is to perform underwater monitoring, rescue, and assembly operations. 

Lamuta, who joined the College of Engineering in 2018, has research expertise in bioinspired material systems, and has been the recipient of several accolades, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award, the DARPA Director’s Fellowship, the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program Award, the Early Career Scholar of the Year award from Iowa Office of the Vice President for Research, and the Early Career Faculty Excellence Award from Iowa Engineering.